Communities opposed to Sportsman?s Show move to Gaylord
Spurred by the decision by the Presque Isle County Tourism Council to move the location of the Northeast Michigan Sportsman?s Show from Onaway to Gaylord, two city municipalities have passed resolutions in opposition. The Rogers City Council met November 20 and passed a strongly worded resolution opposing the decision. In similar fashion, the Onaway City Commission passed a resolution the night before to voice their displeasure.
The Rogers City Council demanded the resignation of Tourism Council board members who voted for the move. They also called the decision ?misguided and a significant error.? Onaway city manager Joe Hefele said the city commission would rather see the Tourism Council improve the show in Onaway rather than see it move to Gaylord.
New Rogers City Chamber of Commerce president Dennis Downie, in a letter to the editor in this week?s edition of The Advance, said the decision ?conveys the perception that northeast Michigan and Presque Isle County are inadequate or incapable of supporting and facilitating sporting events and activities in our own community.? Downie also stated that a broader representation of county stakeholders need to collaborate and partner to insure the future success of the show.
The show, which will be held on the same dates it had been originally scheduled for at Onaway High School, will also have a new name. It will be called the ?Great Lakes Outdoor Expo? and be conducted at Sturgeon Bay Furniture on South Otsego Avenue over a three-day period beginning Friday. As of Tuesday, the Tourism Council website still listed the Sportsman?s Show as occurring in Onaway.